Map Pack 3.5 - 3.7 Community Updates

Note:There is also an online version of Map Pack (Google Maps). You can search locations on the Istaria Map page!Map Pack database is seamlessly intregated to the online version. Map Pack db exports appear in real time on Istaria Map page.

LATEST NEWS:

August 18, 2013

Due to the integration of new functions to scripts and compatibility needed for future scripts, Map Pack 3.5 is now discontinued!
August 9, 2013 (08.9.2013) is the FINAL version of Map Pack 3.5. 3.5 users are strongly encouraged to upgrade to 3.6 3.7, NOW!
Updates (afterAugust 9, 2013) will not be available in 3.5 format!

August 20, 2013

Terao @ Order is now a database administrator. His expertise on map pack is invaluable.Future updates will now be a collaboration, so expect some new exciting updates.
There has been many revamps to the backend scripts to allow maintaining the database by multiple individuals, with flexible searching/editing methods.
This will also contribute to redundancy for future updates as well a broader array of input. Stay tuned for more...

September 5, 2013

MAP PACK 3.7 IS RELEASED! Since Terao and I have overhauled 3.6 entirely, we decided to push the version up to 3.7.
But don't worry, we made sure it will integrate seamlessly with 3.6. So if you are already using 3.6, you do NOT have to uninstall 3.6.
Updating will still be the same procedures as 3.6. That aspect has not changed. So think of 3.7 as 3.6, but improved!
If you are currently a 3.6 user, simply download 3.7 and unzip/overwrite to your Istaria folder (as usual), to upgrade.

May 7, 2014

MAP PACK 3.7 is now available in an EXE/MSI installer program! Foolproof installation and uninstallation (uninstall from Control Panel).

Note this page has now been streamlined to show only important info and geared towards the installer program.
Much of the content has been removed to avoid confusion. A copy of the old map pack page can be viewed here: mappack_old.asp

February 10, 2015

Version numbers are now using a new format!
Please be aware that the version numbers will start using the format: yy.mm.dd . Previously the format was: mm.dd.yyyy

Tip - Did you know? You can use mouse wheel to zoom in and out of the game map.But if you point somewhere on the map (while using mouse wheel) it will zoom specifically to the area around mouse cursor!

Note: Beginning with Dec 21, 2012 patch, you can now search/verify what version you currently have installed, in game map.

Next, search for the word "Version" (Magnifying glass icon on map).Hover the only marker/label found to see the current version you have installed.

If your search for "Version" failed, then you currently have an old version (before Dec 21, 2012) or a version not downloaded from this site.

MAP PACK OVERVIEW:

Map pack behaves exactly like the normal game map. The only thing map pack does is add extra buttons (filters) and adds predefined markers/locations on your map. These 'predefined' locations are simply a compilation gathered by players. The different buttons allows you to hide/show certain categories (resources, monsters, etc) of these predefined markers.

Map pack does NOT intefere with your ability to manually add and maintain your own markers/locations. When you add markers they are saved the same way, it normally does, as if you didn't have map pack installed. New markers do NOT get saved to the map pack folder (resources_override) or add marker/locations to the predefined locations. Instead your markers are saved the same way as if you did not have map pack installed. Map pack markers and your own markers will always be saved in different files. In other words, all of your previously saved markers, will coexist with map pack perfectly. You can show/hide those markers seperately, with push of a button

Whenever you save a location/marker on the map, it saves it to \Prefs\<CHARACTER_NAME>\Uimapmarkers.def file. All map pack markers/locations are stored in the \Resources_Override folder, which is created when you install map pack. So any markers you manually add does not conflict with map pack, and map pack does not conflict with any markers you manually add.

Tip: If you are adding alot of your own markers/locations, keep this file archived (uimapmarkers.def), in case you ever need to reinstall the game. By putting this file back, all of your locations you added, will return. Actually a better suggestion would be just to archive the entire C:\<Your Game Folder>\Prefs folder. This includes the map markers you added, and all of the hotkeys, key bindings, chat settings, that you have updated previously. If you ever need to reinstall the game, then just unzip the contents of the \Prefs folder back into a new install of the game, and everything should be just the way you left it :)

Ok, now that we've covered the fact that map pack doesn't overwrite/modify/remove, nor interfere in any way with markers you manually add and already have on your list. Let's move on...

What exactly is Map Pack?

Take a look at below screenshot of Map Pack. Notice how there are many markers below? Locations to almost every NPC, Monster, Resource, Travel Locations (Pad/Portals), etc are included. So the work of adding many markers has already been compiled by players over time. You will have a great advantage and be able to search and find many things easily, in Istaria.

Also notice the extra buttons on the left side? These extra buttons (filters) show/hide various markers. They fall into multiple categories, including:

Monsters

NPC's

Resources

Travel Spots (Teleporters, Arrival Pads)

Interests (Landmarks/Walls/Temples)

Plots/Lairs (Credits to Terao)

Additional features:

Updated Terrain (Istaria Map) images - Some of the images in the original game install isn't quite up to par. For instance, there are many lakes/ponds/rivers missing. Or some just aren't colored in blue and look like normal terrain (dirt).

Additional Maps not included in game: Dralnok's Doom, Rift, and Isle of Battle, Tomb of Ashlander, Helian's Tomb.

More 'Points of Interests' labels on map! ie Central Marsh and Izzon's Peak (screenshot below) are examples of POI labels.
There are much more POI labels in map pack. The benefit is these labels are also searchable in the game map.

Download the .EXE automatic installer program below and Run the program. During the setup, it will ask what folder you want to install it to. By default, it chooses your Program Files - Istaria folder (which is where your game installs by default). If you installed your game in a different folder, then select that folder instead when asked, otherwise just use all default settings.

If you have map pack already installed, but have never used the installer program before, then this is fine.The above instructions still apply to you! It will only update the necessary files.

Updating/Patching new versions (you've used the Installer program before):

You do not need to uninstall your existing map pack when a new version comes out, just simply run the new installer program.It will remember the last location it was installed and simply update the necessary files.

Uninstalling or Repairing:

You can Uninstall or Repair an installation by going to Control Panel, Programs, Uninstall a Program.
Either select the Uninstall option to uninstall or Repair option to Repair a broken installation.

Additionally you can relaunch the .EXE installer program to perform both of these options.

Repair option is idea if map pack gets broken somehow. Example, if you were to select the "Reset Character Prefs" option (from the game launcher's Troubleshoot button), then this will "break" map pack. The repair option will fix your broken map pack!

No offense, but I do not trust .EXE Installer Programs from Unknown Publishers:

Just note I have been playing this game the entire 10+ years, actively involved in the community/forums and have ran this website since Feb 2013. You can ask around in the game. I am trustworthy and not out to "get you" with some Malware, etc!Please use the installer program as its more flexible, less prone to permission issues, less manual steps, editing files, other scenarios of a failed manual install from the .zip files, etc.

Still not convinced? Thats certainly fine and understandable. You can grab the raw files in a .zip file, instead.But note this requires a bit more work for first time installation.
If you wish to manually install map pack for the first time, using the .zip file, then follow these instructions on the Old Map Pack page.

If you already have map pack installed, then you simply unzip to your main Istaria game folder as it always has been in the past!

The .zip versions (raw files) of ALL map pack versions can always be found in the Map Pack Repository (link below).

I'm trying to install Map Pack on a 2nd game folder, but the installer won't let me!

You will need to grab the .ZIP version (from Map Pack Repository) and unzip it to the base game folder, on your 2nd game folder.

Please refer to the above instructions, under "No offense, but I do not trust .EXE ..." section.
You will still need to manually edit, with Notepad, your /Prefs/ClientPrefs_Common.def file and change the string MapPath line to:
string mapPath = "resources_override/resources/interface/maps" - Make sure you are not logged in the game while editting!

As mentioned in previous section's instructions, refer to the Old Map Pack page for more explanation on how to edit the file.

The .zip versions (raw files) of ALL map pack versions can always be found in the Map Pack Repository (link below).

Can I change my avatar indicator back to the green dragon marker? Yes!

If you want to change the standard map indicator use the windows explorer and open the folder:
...\Istaria\resources_override\resources\interface\themes\default\textures
Rename the file
map_indicator_direction.png
to
map_indicator_direction4.png
And one of the files
map_indicator_direction1-3.png
to
map_indicator_direction.png
Standard map indicator from the Map Pack is a white dot with cycle and arrow
map_indicator_direction1.png is a green dragon with arrow
map_indicator_direction2.png is a violet dragon
map_indicator_direction3.png is a white dot with arrow

Note:Upgrades do not require you to have map pack installed, but a Mod does require map pack to already be installed.
If you downloaded a .zip file, then unzip to your main game folder (Likely C:\Program Files (x86)\Istaria).
If you download a .exe, then it will automatically pick your Istaria folder (but allows you to change path, if needed).
Otherwise choose defaults.

Additional Info: This will modify your mini-map into a smaller footprint by removing the compass and/or the coordinates/time bar from the top (see screenshots below for differences). Note there is no EXE installer program for this mod. This requires you to unzip manually to your main game folder.

Uninstall: Easiest: Reinstall/unzip map pack install file. OR If you used the exe installer, then you can choose the Repair option from Control Panel, Programs, Uninstall a Program. Click Repair button, while selecting "Map Pack 3.7" in list. This option will restore your map pack to the standard/normal format.

This is the standard (normal) mini-map included with the normal game install (and also used by map pack). This is only posted here to show you what the "standard/normal" looks like, for reference purposes.

This is MOD Medium Mini-Map. This mod does not show the compass on top, but still shows coordinates and time. This reduces the footprint slightly.

This is MOD Small Mini-Map. This mod does not show the compass NOR coordinates and time, on top. This is the smallest footprint possible.